Parish Administration
Rev. Martin Vavrak - Pastor
Fr. Martin was born in former Czechoslovakia, (today’s Slovak Republic of the European Union) on November 1, 1973, to František, who currently resides in Košice, Slovakia, and newly departed Sona. Fr. Martin was one of four siblings with his brother Robert Vavrak who has also passed away. Fr. Martin started his philosophical and theological studies in Slovakia, and then in the Czech Republic at Charles University in Prague, where he graduated. Subsequently, Fr. Martin continued his postgraduate studies at the Pontifical University in Lubin, where he obtained a Licentiate in Pastoral Theology, and a doctorate in Christian Pedagogy from the Catholic University in Ružomberok, Slovakia. Father was ordained in 2003 by Bishop Milan Šašik at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Košice.
Fr. Martin is happily married to his beloved wife Anna Vavrak, and has two sons, Martin František Vavrak and Richard Daniel Vavrak. Martin is 22 years old and is currently finishing his studies in college as a Professional Paramedic major. Richard is 20 years old and is also currently studying in college as a cybersecurity and computer science major. After Fr. Martin’s priestly ordination, he served for 3 years in the Mukachevo Eparchy in Transcarpathian Ukraine, and also taught in the seminary. He then went to the Slovak Greek Catholic Eparchy of St. Cyril and Methodius of Toronto, Canada, and resided in Windsor, Ontario where he was appointed. He served for about 5 years in Canada before moving to the Eparchy of Passaic in New Jersey where he served for almost 13 years.
Fr. Martin also serves as Administrator of St. Basil in Miami.
Mr. Fred Wilson - Parish Manager & Cantor
Fred Wilson is a legal writer for a national advocacy firm, having moved to South Florida in 2013, at which time he became the head cantor at Our Lady of the Sign. Fred has a duel education background in law and choral conducting, and served as finance manager and / or music director of several Catholic, Episcopal, and Presbyterian churches before moving to South Florida. In 2023, in addition to his role as Cantor, Fred was appointed as Interim Administrator of Our Lady of the Sign. When Fr. Martin was later assigned as new pastor, Fred was asked to stay on in a role of Parish Manager, overseeing the day-to-day parish operations and finances.
Mr. Wilson also serves as Parish Manager and Cantor of St. Basil in Miami.
Mr. Jon Cipyak, IV - Trustee & Assistant Cantor
Jon Cipyak is the CEO of a local construction firm. He resides in Boynton Beach with wife Melissa and two children Savannah and Jon “JV”. He has been a member of Our Lady of the Sign parish since its inception as a mission in 1980 and was one of the first two Alter Servers. Jon also is Chairman of FAU Lab Schools SAB, coaches Flag Football and is Vice President of his Community Association.
Mr. Michael Donegan - Trustee, Guild Co-Chair & Head Server
Michael Donegan is a semi-retired accountant residing in Delray Beach with wife Kathryn. He has been a member of the Our Lady of the Sign Community since 2005 and was married in the church (to Kathryn) in 2008. Though not born in South Florida, he has resided in the area since 1983. Prior to joining our parish community, he was a member of Holy Apostles Church in Lake Worth from 1983 until becoming a member of our parish community in 2005.